REYHANLI, Turkey — After days of relentless shelling and sniper attacks, thousands of Syrian refugees streamed across the border into Turkey with horrific accounts Friday of mass graves, massacres and burned-out homes.

The latest reports of escalating violence fueled accusations that President Bashar Assad is rushing to stamp out as much of the year-old uprising as he can before a U.N.-brokered cease-fire next week.

The trigger for the new waves of refugees was an offensive in Idlib province, which borders Turkey and has become increasingly rebellious against the Assad regime.

Activists reported about 100 dead in the villages of Taftanaz and Killi in recent days.

A photograph provided to The Associated Press by a Syrian activist showed at least a dozen corpses wrapped in blankets in what appeared to be a mass grave in Taftanaz. The AP could not verify the authenticity of the photograph, but witnesses also described a mass grave.

"They destroyed the whole village," a refugee who asked to be identified by only one name, Anas, told the AP on Friday after fleeing Killi. "If he has to kill, Bashar would even kill 1 million people. He doesn't care."

Hikmet Saban, another Syrian refugee who reached Turkey, described the devastation in Taftanaz, located several miles outside the city of Idlib.

"Helicopters and tanks are bombarding continuously," he told Turkey's state-run Anadolu agency. "Taftanaz has been burnt to the ground for three days." Activists posted video they said showed a helicopter gunship firing a missile at Taftanaz and a mosque hit by shelling.

The escalating violence has dimmed hopes that the fighting, which the U.N. says has killed more than 9,000 people, will end anytime soon. The country appears to be spiraling toward civil war – a fearsome development that could bring a regional conflagration.

A vital geopolitical linchpin, Syria borders five other nations and has close ties to Iran and powerful militant groups, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Assad last week accepted a cease-fire deadline brokered by international envoy Kofi Annan, which calls for his forces to pull out of towns and cities by Tuesday and for everyone to lay down their arms by 6 a.m. local time Thursday.

Western leaders have cast doubt on Assad's intentions, suggesting he is playing for time and is not serious about the plan, which aims to pave the way for talks between the regime and the opposition on a political solution.

Syria denies that the revolt is a popular uprising at all, saying instead that it is facing a foreign conspiracy by armed gangs and terrorists who want to destroy the country.

The revolt began in March 2011 with mostly peaceful protests, but the violent government crackdown has led many to take up weapons. A fighting force called the Free Syrian Army, made up largely of army defectors, is determined to bring down the regime by force of arms.

On Friday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he spoke by phone for half an hour with Assad, who told him the security situation in his country is improving and he hopes the violence will ease soon.

"He told me there have been more than 2,000 soldier martyrs and a larger number of innocent people who have died as a result of the terrorist plan to remove him from power," Chavez said in a phone call broadcast live on Venezuela's state television.

Also Friday, Syria's state-run news agency, SANA, appeared to acknowledge the recent spike in violence, but again blamed terrorism.

Syria sent letters to the United Nations and U.N. Security Council that said "acts committed by terrorists groups escalated especially after the agreement over Kofi Annan's plan was reached," SANA reported.

But witnesses who streamed in Turkey said regime forces were driving the bloodshed.

Ahmad, a refugee from Taftanaz who, like other witnesses, asked only to be identified by his first name, said families were forced to bury the dead in a "collective grave."

He said the shelling stopped only when the soldiers needed more ammunition.

"The humanitarian truce promised by the Annan plan? If they grant us a two-hour truce, it would be to let us leave our houses, and then they would shoot again," he said.

Fadi al-Yassin, an activist in Idlib province, said Syrian troops took control of Taftanaz on Thursday after three days of intense shelling and attacks.

He said 95 people were killed in the attack, including 37 who were burned beyond recognition. He also said the dead were buried in mass graves.

"The situation is catastrophic in Taftanaz," he said. "The grand mosque was destroyed and about 200 homes heavily damaged."

He added that troops have now left the village, taking up positions around it.

The stream of Syrians fleeing to Turkey has picked up considerably, with about one-third of the total of 24,000 refugees arriving in the past two weeks. Some 2,500 crossed the border on Thursday alone, said Ankara's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, adding that the daily flow has doubled since Syria promised last week to abide by the truce.

Davutoglu told U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday his country would seek U.N. assistance if the influx continues. Turkey has in the past floated the idea of creating a small buffer zone inside Syria if refugee flows become overwhelming.

"We are doing our best to shelter them in camps, temporary housing units. No one is left out," Davutoglu said. "But everyone should realize that there is a problem here. We will ask for humanitarian assistance when needed."

Turkey's state TV showed dozens of refugees, including a young man on crutches and a defector from the Syrian army in military camouflage, huddled behind razor wire on the Syria-Turkey border Friday, waiting to cross into Turkey. Turkish soldiers registered their names before letting them in.

Violence also was reported Friday in Syria's central city of Homs, where thick black smoke billowed from a residential area amid the sounds of heavy gunfire and explosions. "Intense shelling by Assad's gangs," a man could be heard saying while filming what appeared to be a house on fire. "May God help us."

Regime forces also struck the town of Rastan, just north of Homs, with heavy machine guns and mortars, said the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Ground troops later tried to push their way into Rastan, clashing with opposition fighters, the group said.

The government has been laying siege to Rastan since rebels took control of it in late January. However, they don't control the strategic Rastan bridge, which is the main link to northern Syria. In the past year, the rebels have tried repeatedly to overrun the bridge and break the siege.

Government forces also broadened an offensive in the Damascus suburbs of Douma, Saqba, Arbeen and Dumair, exchanging fire with rebels, activists said. The Observatory said four members of the military were killed.

Tanks fired at buildings while snipers took up positions atop a 12-story medical building in the sprawling Douma district, about 8 miles (12 kilometers) outside the capital of Damascus, said activist Mohammed Saeed. He said two people were killed by tank fire.

Troops had entered Douma on Thursday in what activists described as one of the most violent raids near Damascus since the uprising began.

Plumes of smoke rose in Saqba, and activists said regime forces torched at least one house. In Dumair, the Observatory reported intense fighting and said an armored vehicle was destroyed.

The Observatory said 23 civilians, nine government soldiers and four opposition fighters were killed Friday.

___

Kennedy reported from Beirut. AP Writers Karin Laub and Bassem Mroue in Beirut and Selcan Hacaoglu in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.

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In this image made from amateur video and released by Ugarit News Wednesday, March 28, 2012, purports to show smoke leaping the air from shelling in Idlib, Syria. Syrian activists said Wednesday a government offensive in northern Syria during which troops overran a major opposition stronghold has left behind scenes of destruction, with corpses in the streets, homes burned to the ground and shops that have been pillaged and looted. (AP Photo/Ugarit News via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

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In this Tuesday, March 27, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, black smoke rises from buildings in Homs, Syria. Three Syrian soldiers died in clashes with rebels in the central province of Homs on Wednesday, an activist group said, just a day after President Bashar Assad said he has accepted a U.N. plan to resolve the country's crisis. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

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In this image made from video, Syrian President Bashar Assad visits Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs, Syria, Tuesday, March 27, 2012. Assad visited Baba Amr, a former rebel stronghold in the key city of Homs that became a symbol of the uprising after a monthlong siege by government forces killed hundreds of people many of them civilians as troops pushed out rebel fighters. Homs has been one of the cities hardest hit by the government crackdown on the uprising that began last March. (AP Photo/Syrian State Television via APTN) SYRIA OUT TV OUT

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This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Monday, March 26, 2012, purports to show smoke rising from buildings in Homs, Syria. Syrian troops shelled rebel-held neighborhoods in the central city of Homs on Monday with at least five people seriously wounded. Homs has been one of the cities hardest hit by the government crackdown on the uprising that began last March. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

In this citizen journalism image taken on Saturday, March 24, 2012 and provided by Edlib News Network ENN, a Syrian woman reacts outside her house which attacked by Syrian government forces shelling at Sarmeen town in Idlib province, northern Syria. Syrian activists say troops are shelling rebel-held neighborhoods in the central city of Homs with at least five people seriously wounded. (AP Photo/Edlib News Network ENN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this citizen journalism image taken on Saturday, March 24, 2012 and provided by Edlib News Network ENN, Syrian citizens, right, stand in the rubble of their damaged house which was destroyed from Syrian government forces shelling at Sarmeen town in Idlib province, northern Syria. Syrian activists say troops are shelling rebel-held neighborhoods in the central city of Homs with at least five people seriously wounded. (AP Photo/Edlib News Network ENN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this citizen journalism image taken on Saturday, March 24, 2012 and provided by Edlib News Network ENN, a Syrian boy stands next to damaged cars which were attacked from Syrian government forces shelling at Sarmeen town in Idlib province, northern Syria. Syrian activists say troops are shelling rebel-held neighborhoods in the central city of Homs with at least five people seriously wounded. (AP Photo/Edlib News Network ENN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this citizen journalism image taken on Saturday, March, 24, 2012 and provided by Edlib News Network ENN, Syrian boys stand inside a damaged mosque which was attacked by the Syrian government forces shelling at Sarmeen town in Idlib province, northern Syria. Syrian activists say troops are shelling rebel-held neighborhoods in the central city of Homs with at least five people seriously wounded. (AP Photo/Edlib News Network ENN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this Saturday, March 24, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, Syrian boys stand in the rubble of a destroyed building in Idlib, north Syria. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told the U.N. and Arab League envoy to Syria on Sunday that his mission may be the final opportunity for Syria to avoid "a protracted bloody civil war" and promised Russia's full support. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this Saturday, March 24, 2012 photo, an empty shopping cafe is seen in Damascus, Syria. Streets of Damascus that were crowded until late at night stand mostly empty after sunset as Syrians stay home, fearing robberies and kidnapping. After a year of chaos, a country that once boasted it was the safest in the Middle East is experiencing a surge in crime. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

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This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Saturday, March 24, 2012, purports to show smoke rising after rockets fell in the Khaldiyeh area of Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Saturday, March 24, 2012, purports to show a fireball after rockets fell in the Khaldiyeh area of Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

FILE - In this Monday, July 14, 2008 file photo, Syrian President Bashar Assad arrives with his wife Asma for the Bastille day ceremonies in Paris. As Syria's bloodshed deepens, the country's British-born first lady has become an object of contempt for many, a Marie Antoinette figure who shopped online for fondue sets and 6-inch, crystal-encrusted Christian Louboutin heels while her country burned. The EU has slapped sanctions on Asma Assad, the young, stylish wife who for a decade offered a veneer of respectability to one of the world's most secretive and ruthless dictatorships. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler, File)

FILE - Asma Assad, the wife of Syrian President Bashar Assad, poses for the camera on in this May 20, 2007 file photo. An EU official said Thursday March 23, 2012 a total of four members of the Assad family, along with eight government ministers, will be targeted in the latest round of sanctions aimed at stopping the violent crackdown on members of the Syrian opposition. (AP Photo, File)

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In this picture taken on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, a Syrian woman, right, kisses a soldier from the Free Syrian Army, left, in front a destroyed Syrian army forces tank which was attacked during clashes between the Syrian government forces and the Syrian rebels, in Rastan town in Homs province, central Syria. Syrian government forces fired machine guns and mortar rounds Friday in fierce clashes with rebel army defectors in a town near the Turkish border, a Syrian activist group reported, as a European Union official said the wife of Syria's president will be hit with a travel ban and have her assets in the EU frozen. (AP Photo)

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In this picture taken on Tuesday March 20, 2012, a destroyed Syrian army tank which was attacked during clashes between the Syrian government forces and the Syrian rebels, in Rastan area in Homs province, central Syria. Syrian troops shelled and raided opposition areas and clashed with rebel fighters around the country Thursday despite U.N. efforts to stop the bloodshed so aid could reach suffering civilians. Activists cited the fresh violence in dismissing a U.N. Security Council statement calling for a cease-fire to allow for dialogue between all sides on a political solution. The government of President Bashar Assad also played down the statement, saying Damascus is under no threats or ultimatums. (AP Photo)

A vendor juices pomegranates in old Damascus, Syria, Thursday, March 22, 2012. Mounting international condemnation of Bashar Assad's regime and high-level diplomacy have failed to ease the year-old Syria conflict, which the U.N. says has killed more than 8,000 people. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

Tapestries are displayed as men sit outside the Omayyid mosque in old Damascus, Syria, Thursday, March 22, 2012. Mounting international condemnation of Bashar Assad's regime and high-level diplomacy have failed to ease the year-old Syria conflict, which the U.N. says has killed more than 8,000 people. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

This image made from amateur video and released by the Syria media center Wednesday, March 21, 2012, purports to show a Syrian military solider atop a tank in Damascus, Syria. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that the Security Council has sent an unmistakable message to Syria that all violence must stop as the death toll from a year of violence passed 8,000. (AP Photo/Syria Media Center via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

In this image made from amateur video and released by Ugarit News Wednesday, March 21, 2012, purports to show Syrian military tanks in Damascus, Syria. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that the Security Council has sent an unmistakable message to Syria that all violence must stop as the death toll from a year of violence passed 8,000. (AP Photo/Ugarit News via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

In this image made from amateur video and released by Ugarit News Wednesday, March 21, 2012, purports to show Syrian rebels taking position in Hama, Syria. The Syrian uprising, which began one year ago, is transforming into an armed insurgency that many fear is pushing the country toward civil war. Because of Syria's close alliances with Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, there are deep concerns that the violence could spread beyond the country's borders, especially if other nations arm the rebels or send in their own troops. (AP Photo/Ugarit News via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

Syrian scouts place a candle during a vigil after a mass prayer for the civilian citizens and security officers who were killed in front of a damaged building which was destroyed during the last two explosions that attacked the Syrian security departments last Saturday, in Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday March 21, 2012. The previously divided U.N. Security Council sent a strong and united message to the Syrian government and opposition on Wednesday to immediately implement proposals by international envoy Kofi Annan to end the yearlong bloodshed. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

Syrian women hold candles during a vigil after a mass prayer for the civilian citizens and security officers who were killed during the two explosions that targeted the Syrian security departments last Saturday, in Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday March 21, 2012. The previously divided U.N. Security Council sent a strong and united message to the Syrian government and opposition on Wednesday to immediately implement proposals by international envoy Kofi Annan to end the yearlong bloodshed. (AP Photo / Muzaffar Salman)

Anti-Syrian regime activists cover their faces with Syrian revolution flag cloths as they prepare a banner to be held in a protest, in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, March 21, 2012. The previously divided U.N. Security Council sent a strong and united message to the Syrian government and opposition on Wednesday to immediately implement proposals by international envoy Kofi Annan to end the yearlong bloodshed. (AP Photo)

This image made from amateur video and released by Ugarit News Wednesday, March 21, 2012, purports to show a castle being shelled in Hama, Syria. The U.N. Security Council has strongly backed international envoy Kofi Annan's proposals to end the yearlong bloodshed in Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

A Turkish boy, riding a donkey, herds sheep along the Syrian border near the Turkish town of Reyhanli in Hatay province, Turkey, Wednesday, March 21, 2012. Nearly 17,000 Syrian refugees, fleeing the violence in Syria, have arrived in Turkey. (AP Photo/Selcan Hacaoglu)

In this Tuesday, March. 20, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, Syrian rebels step on a portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad in Idlib province, Syria. The "extremely dangerous" conflict in Syria could have global repercussions, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday as fresh violence erupted outside the capital and in the south. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

This image made from amateur video and released by the Syria media center Tuesday, March 20, 2012, purports to black smoking rising from buildings in Homs, Syria. An international human rights group Tuesday accused some in Syria's armed opposition of carrying out serious abuses, including the kidnapping and torture of security forces, in a sign of the growing complexity of the year-old uprising against President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo/Syria Media Center via AP video) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Tuesday, March 20, 2012, purports to black smoking rising from buildings in Homs, Syria. An international human rights group Tuesday accused some in Syria's armed opposition of carrying out serious abuses, including the kidnapping and torture of security forces, in a sign of the growing complexity of the year-old uprising against President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image made from amateur video and released by Ugarit News Tuesday, March 20, 2012, purports to show a Syrian military tank in Homs, Syria. An international human rights group Tuesday accused some in Syria's armed opposition of carrying out serious abuses, including the kidnapping and torture of security forces, in a sign of the growing complexity of the year-old uprising against President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via AP video) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

Syrian army soldiers look through a hole in a building as they search for Syrian rebels in a suburb of Damascus, Syria, on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. An international human rights group accused Syria's armed opposition on Tuesday of carrying out serious abuses, including the kidnapping and torture of security forces, in a sign of the growing complexity of the year-old uprising against President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo)

Syrian army soldiers raid a building as they search for Syrian rebels in a suburb of Damascus, Syria, on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. An international human rights group accused Syria's armed opposition on Tuesday of carrying out serious abuses, including the kidnapping and torture of security forces, in a sign of the growing complexity of the year-old uprising against President Bashar Assad. (AP Photo)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, damaged apartments are seen after a clashes between the Syrian rebels and the Security forces, in the Mazzeh neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, on Monday, March 19, 2012. Rare gun battles between security forces and rebels broke out Monday in an upscale Damascus neighborhood where embassies are located and senior officials live, one of the most serious confrontations in the tightly controlled capital since the anti-government uprising began a year ago. At least three people were killed. The state-run news agency SANA reported that Monday's fighting broke out when security forces stormed an apartment used as a hideout by an "armed terrorist" group in the upscale Mazzeh neighborhood. (AP Photo/SANA)

A man reacts at a funeral of the victims killed during a suicide bombing attack in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, March 18, 2012. Three suicide bombings in the capital Damascus on Saturday killed several people. The government blamed those on the opposition, which it claims is made up of "terrorist" groups carrying out a foreign conspiracy. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

People hold a poster depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao at a silent march in front of a damaged government building on al-Qassa street in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, March 18, 2012 in memory of people who were killed a day earlier by two attacks in the capital Damascus. Three suicide bombings in the capital Damascus on Saturday killed several people. The government blamed those on the opposition, which it claims is made up of "terrorist" groups carrying out a foreign conspiracy. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi)

Men pray at a funeral of the victims killed during a suicide bombing attack in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, March 18, 2012. Three suicide bombings in the capital Damascus on Saturday killed several people. The government blamed those on the opposition, which it claims is made up of "terrorist" groups carrying out a foreign conspiracy. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

This photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA shows Syrian rescue teams investigating the scene after an explosion in Aleppo, Syria, Sunday, March 18, 2012. An explosion ripped through a residential neighborhood in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Sunday and the state news agency said it was a "terrorist bombing." The report by SANA gave no information on casualties in what appeared to be the second attack in two days on cities where President Bashar Assad's regime enjoys strong support. (AP Photo/SANA)

Syrian boys walk close barbed wire at Turkey-Syria border as people fleeing violence in their country continue to enter Turkey near Reyhanli, Turkey, Sunday, March 18, 2012.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

A Syrian rebel stands next to a flaming tire while firing at a Syrian army checkpoint, in a suburb of Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Two suicide bombers detonated cars packed with explosives in near-simultaneous attacks on heavily guarded intelligence and security buildings in the Syrian capital Damascus Saturday, killing at least 27 people. (AP Photo)

Men greet a group of Syrians who are walking toward a refugee camp after they cleared a barbed wire fence to enter Turkey near Reyhanli, Turkey, Saturday, March 17, 2012. News reports say about 1,000 Syrian refugees arrived on Wednesday, escaping from violence in Syria.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

A group of Syrian, fleeing violence in their country, clear barbed wire to enter Turkey near Reyhanli, Turkey, Saturday, March 17, 2012. Turkey said it is considering the establishment of a "buffer zone" along its border with Syria after more than 1,000 Syrians crossed into Turkish territory in the latest influx of refugees escaping attacks by security forces in their homeland. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteer carries a man who was wounded by an explosion that attacked security forces departments, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Twin bombings struck government targets in the Syrian capital early Saturday, killing security forces and civilians and leaving pools of blood and carnage in the streets, according to state-run television. (AP Photo/SANA)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian firefighters extinguish a fire in a damaged building near the aviation intelligence department, which was attacked by one of two explosions, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Twin bombings struck government targets in the Syrian capital early Saturday, killing security forces and civilians and leaving pools of blood and carnage in the streets, according to state-run television. (AP Photo/SANA)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian security forces gather in front of a damaged building near the aviation intelligence department, which was attacked by one of two explosions, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Twin bombings struck government targets in the Syrian capital early Saturday, killing security forces and civilians and leaving pools of blood and carnage in the streets, according to state-run television. (AP Photo/SANA)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, burnt and destroyed cars are seen near the aviation intelligence department, which was attacked by one of two explosions, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Twin bombings struck government targets in the Syrian capital early Saturday, killing security forces and civilians and leaving pools of blood and carnage in the streets, according to state-run television. (AP Photo/SANA)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian security officers investigate a damaged building of the air intelligence forces, which was attacked by one of two explosions, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Two "terrorist explosions" struck security targets in the Syrian capital Saturday morning, killing a number of civilians and security forces, the country's state news agency said. The report said preliminary reports indicated they blasts were caused by car bombs that hit the aviation intelligence department and the criminal security department. (AP Photo/SANA)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, flames are seen inside the building of the Syrian criminal security department which was attacked by an explosion, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Two "terrorist explosions" struck security targets in the Syrian capital Saturday morning, killing a number of civilians and security forces, the country's state news agency said. The report said preliminary reports indicated they blasts were caused by car bombs that hit the aviation intelligence department and the criminal security department. (AP Photo/SANA)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a destroyed car is seen inside the park of the Syrian criminal security department which was attacked by an explosion, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Two "terrorist explosions" struck security targets in the Syrian capital Saturday morning, killing a number of civilians and security forces, the country's state news agency said. The report said preliminary reports indicated they blasts were caused by car bombs that hit the aviation intelligence department and the criminal security department. (AP Photo/SANA)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, a destroyed car is seen inside the park of the Syrian criminal security department which was attacked by an explosion, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Two "terrorist explosions" struck security targets in the Syrian capital Saturday morning, killing a number of civilians and security forces, the country's state news agency said. The report said preliminary reports indicated the blasts were caused by car bombs that hit the aviation intelligence department and the criminal security department. (AP Photo/SANA)

In this citizen journalism image provided by Edlib News Network ENN, anti-Syrian regime protesters step on portraits of Syrian President Bashar Assad during a protest at Maaret al-Naaman village, in Idlib, north Syria, on Friday, March 16, 2012. Kofi Annan, the international envoy on Syria, will send a mission to Damascus as soon as possible to discuss practical steps to implement his proposals to end the violence and killing. Syrian troops clashed with army defectors in several areas near the capital Damascus in the first significant battles there since President Bashar Assad's forces regained control of the suburbs weeks ago, activists said Friday. The Arabic placard in the left reads:"Maaret al-Naaman the Friday of the immediate military intervention", referring to the theme of this week which they declare is aimed at calling for immediate military intervention. (AP Photo/Edlib News Network ENN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO - EDS NOTE: DATE AT BOTTOM RIGHT PLACED BY SOURCE.

CORRECTS SPELLING OF CITIZEN JOURNALIST GROUP - In this citizen journalism image provided by Edlib News Network, anti-Syrian regime protesters wave the Syrian revolutionary flags during a protest at Maaret Harma village, in Idlib, north Syria, on Friday March 16, 2012. Kofi Annan, the international envoy on Syria, will send a mission to Damascus as soon as possible to discuss practical steps to implement his proposals to end the violence and killing. Syrian troops clashed with army defectors in several areas near the capital Damascus in the first significant battles there since President Bashar Assad's forces regained control of the suburbs weeks ago, activists said Friday. (AP Photo/Edlib News Network) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Thursday, March 15, 2012 purports to show an attack on a castle in Hama, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Thursday, March 15, 2012 purports to show a Syrian army tank in Idlib, Syria, Wednesday, March 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

A group of Syrian refugees travel on the back of a tractor, after fleeing violence in their country, as they arrive across the Turkish Syrian border near Reyhanli, Turkey, Thursday, March 15, 2012. Turkey said Thursday it was considering the establishment of a "buffer zone" along its border with Syria after more than 1,000 Syrians crossed into Turkish territory in the latest influx of refugees escaping attacks by security forces in their homeland. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

This video image taken from AP Television shows Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebel fighters praying in their camp after a patrol in Idlib province, Syria on Tuesday March 13, 2012. Free Syrian Army fighters vowed to continue their fight against President Bashar Assad's regime, a year after Syrians began taking to the streets to call for political reforms with protests spreading throughout the county and government security forces violently cracking down on protesters. (AP Photo/AP Television)

This video image taken from AP Television shows Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebel fighters on a patrol to assess the positions of Syrian government forces in Idlib province, Syria on Tuesday March 13, 2012. Free Syrian Army fighters vowed to continue their fight against President Bashar Assad's regime, a year after Syrians began taking to the streets to call for political reforms with protests spreading throughout the county and government security forces violently cracking down on protesters. (AP Photo/AP Television)

This video image taken from AP Television shows a Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebel fighter in the fighter's camp in Idlib province, Syria on Tuesday March 13, 2012. Free Syrian Army fighters vowed to continue their fight against President Bashar Assad's regime, a year after Syrians began taking to the streets to call for political reforms with protests spreading throughout the county and government security forces violently cracking down on protesters. (AP Photo/AP Television)

This video image taken from AP Television shows Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebel fighters sitting around a fire in the fighter's camp in Idlib province, Syria on Tuesday March 13, 2012. Free Syrian Army fighters vowed to continue their fight against President Bashar Assad's regime, a year after Syrians began taking to the streets to call for political reforms with protests spreading throughout the county and government security forces violently cracking down on protesters. (AP Photo/AP Television)

A newly arrived Syrian refugee, fleeing violence in his country, reacts as he get closer to friends waiting at the border in Reyhanli, Turkey, Thursday, March 15, 2012. An official says more than 1,000 Syrians have crossed into Turkey over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Syrian refugees in Turkey to at least 14,700.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

A group of Syrian fleeing violence in their country, walk towards the Turkish, near Reyhanli, Turkey, Thursday, March 15, 2012. An official says more than 1,000 Syrians have crossed into Turkey over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Syrian refugees in Turkey to at least 14,700. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

This image made from amateur video and released by Syrian Media Centre and taken Tuesday, March 13, 2012, purports to show an explosion as a tank fires a shell in Idlib, Syria. Syrian forces fired mortars and heavy machine-guns Wednesday in an attack on the southern city where the anti-government uprising began, propelled by recent military victories over rebels as the opposition fell into disarray. (AP Photo/Syrian Media Centre via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

In this March 9, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Homs City Union of The Syrian Revolution, smoke rise from a building that was shelled by the Syrian army, at Jeb al-Jandali neighborhood in Homs province, central Syria. Two prominent Syrian dissidents said Wednesday they have quit the main opposition group that emerged from the year-old uprising against the regime in Damascus in protest over what one of the men described as an "autocratic" organization. (AP Photo/Homs City Union of The Syrian Revolution) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

A Turkish man drives a tractor on a dirt road in Turkey, meters away from the Syrian border, Monday, March 12, 2012. AP's Rodrigo Abd and Ahmed Bahaddou sneaked into Syria and spent nearly three weeks reporting from opposition-held territory. Abd, an Associated Press photographer, is based in Guatemala. Bahaddou is a freelance TV news producer, based in Turkey. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

AP's Ahmed Bahaddou, left, and Rodrigo Abd, center, climb the back of a tractor in the Turkish town of Hacipasa close to the border with Syria Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012. Rodrigo Abd and Ahmed Bahaddou sneaked into Syria and spent nearly three weeks reporting from opposition-held territory. Abd, an Associated Press photographer, is based in Guatemala. Bahaddou is a freelance TV news producer, based in Turkey. (AP Photo/Nebi Qena)

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Tuesday, March 13, 2012, purports to show a Syrian rebel atop of a Syrian military tank in Khan Sheikhoun, Syria. Fresh from a monthlong campaign that drove rebels out of another key base in central Homs, President Bashar Assad's forces launched a siege on the city of Idlib three days ago. The city had been under control of hundreds of fighters for the rebel Free Syrian Army. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Tuesday, March 13, 2012, purports to show road barriers built to prevent Bashar Assad's gangs from entering villages in Latakia, Syria. Syrian military forces have recaptured the northern rebel stronghold of Idlib along the border with Turkey, a major base that army defectors had held for months, a pro-government newspaper reported Tuesday. An international rights group said the army is mining the border with Turkey. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, a man tries to help a Syrian rebel after being wounded by fragments of an exploding shell in Idlib, north Syria. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd).

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Syrian rebels take position during clashes with government forces in Idlib, north Syria. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, the wife of Mohammed Halak slumps in a chair next to his body as she mourns the death of her husband, killed during fighting between Free Syrian Army fighters and the Syrian Army in Idlib, north Syria. Scores of people have been reported dead during clashes between Government forces and Free Syrian Army fighters. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, a man rushed a blood-stained stretcher back to a hospital during fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces in Idlib, north Syria. Scores of people have been reported dead during clashes between Government forces and Free Syrian Army fighters. The Arabic writing on the building advertises an electrician's shop. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, medics help a wounded man outside a hospital during fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces in Idlib, north Syria. Scores of people have been reported dead during clashes between Government forces and Free Syrian Army fighters. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, two Syrian women walk past graffiti that reads "freedom," during fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces in Idlib, north Syria. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Free Syrian Army fighters cry after learning at least four comrades died during clashes with the government forces in Idlib, north Syria. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Free Syrian Army fighters ride a motorbike to approach Syrian Army tanks in Idlib, north Syria.(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Free Syrian Army fighters celebrate after hearing that their comrades destroyed a Syrian Army tank in Idlib, north Syria. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Free Syrian Army fighters pause for a moment in between fierce firefights with Syrian Army in the town of Idlib, north Syria. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Free Syrian Army fighters are seen amid smoke from tank shelling during a day of fierce fighting with the government forces in Idlib, north Syria. At least four rebels were killed and several were injured when the tank shell landed. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, a Free Syrian Army fighter rushes to secure a fighting position in an attempt to fend off a Syrian Army attack on the town of Idlib, north Syria. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Free Syrian Army fighters plant a roadside bomb to destroy a Syrian Army tank during a day of fierce fighting with the government forces in Idlib, north Syria. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, a Syrian rebel reacts after learning at least four comrades died during clashes with Syrian government forces in Idlib, north Syria. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, a morgue worker burns a bandage to bind the hands of a boy who died from his wounds during heavy fighting between Syrian rebels and the government forces in Idlib, north Syria. Syrian activists said Monday that pro-government gunmen have killed several people including children in a rebel stronghold recaptured by the government in the embattled central city of Homs. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, a morgue worker burns a bandage to bind the hands of a boy who died from his wounds during heavy fighting between Syrian rebels and the government forces in Idlib, north Syria. Syrian activists said Monday that pro-government gunmen have killed several people including children in a rebel stronghold recaptured by the government in the embattled central city of Homs. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Saturday, March 10, 2012 photo, Aida cries as she recovers from severe injuries after the Syrian Army shelled her house in Idlib north Syria. Aida's husband and and two children were killed after their home was shelled. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Saturday, March 10, 2012 photo, Hana, 12, flashes the victory sign next to her sister Eva, 13, as they recover from severe injuries after the Syrian Army shelled their house in Idlib, north Syria. Their father and two siblings were killed after their home was shelled. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Syrian rebels carry the dead body of a comrade to a morgue after heavy fighting with Syrian government forces in Idlib, north Syria. Syrian activists said Monday that pro-government gunmen have killed several people including children in a rebel stronghold recaptured by the government in the embattled central city of Homs. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, a man carries a boy who was severely wounded during heavy fighting between Syrian rebels and government forces in Idlib, north Syria. Syrian activists said Monday that pro-government gunmen have killed several people including children in a rebel stronghold recaptured by the government in the embattled central city of Homs. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Syrian rebels rest during a day of heavy fighting with Syrian government forces in Idlib, north Syria. Syrian activists said Monday that pro-government gunmen have killed several people including children in a rebel stronghold recaptured by the government in the embattled central city of Homs. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, a Syrian rebel reacts after learning the death of at least four comrades and several injured during clashes with Syrian government forces outside a hospital in Idlib, north Syria. Syrian activists said Monday that pro-government gunmen have killed several people including children in a rebel stronghold recaptured by the government in the embattled central city of Homs. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Sunday, March 11, 2012 photo, Syrian rebels take position during clashes with government forces in Idlib, north Syria. Syrian activists said Monday that pro-government gunmen have killed several people including children in a rebel stronghold recaptured by the government in the embattled central city of Homs. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Rosemarie Colvin, right, mother of Marie Colvin, is embraced by a mourner as they arrive for the funeral service for journalist Colvin, Monday, March 12, 2012 at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church in Oyster Bay, N.Y. The 56-year-old Colvin was a longtime reporter for Britain's Sunday Times. She and French photographer Remi Ochlik were killed Feb. 22 in shelling in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Syrian refugee boy holds a smal anti-Assad banner as he joins others as they stage a protest against the Syrian regime in Yayladagi, Turkey, Monday, March 12, 2012. A Turkish official told the Associated Press there has been a marked increase in the number of refugees crossing into Turkey since the start of attacks on Idlib, saying some 1000 Syrians have fled in the past week, compared to some 1000 in one month before the violence in the northern province began. He said the number of Syrian refugees in Turkey is now 12,500.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Two Syrian use a canoe to cross over the Orontes river to reach Turkey, in Antakya, Turkey, Sunday, March 11, 2012. A Turkish official told the Associated Press there has been a marked increase in the number of refugees crossing into Turkey since the start of attacks on Idlib, saying some 1000 Syrians have fled in the past week, compared to some 1000 in one month before the violence in the northern province began. He said the number of Syrian refugees in Turkey is now 12,500.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Syrian refugee woman cries during a protest against the Syrian regime in Yayladagi, Turkey, Monday, March 12, 2012. A Turkish official told the Associated Press there has been a marked increase in the number of refugees crossing into Turkey since the start of attacks on Idlib, saying some 1000 Syrians have fled in the past week, compared to some 1000 in one month before the violence in the northern province began. He said the number of Syrian refugees in Turkey is now 12,500.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad, right, meets with Kofi Annan, the United Nations special envoy to Syria, in Damascus, Syria, on Saturday March 10, 2012. The state-run news agency SANA reported that talks between Assad and Annan were "positive" but there were no further details on the meeting. Syrian troops pushed ahead with a new assault on the northern region of Idlib on Saturday, shelling one of the centers of the uprising against President Bashar Assad's rule and sending families fleeing for safety as armed rebels tried to fend off the attack. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky. (AP Photo/SANA)

An injured man is treated at a hospital during fierce fighting between Free Syrian Army fighters and government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. Syrian troops pushed ahead with a new assault on the northern region of Idlib on Saturday, shelling one of the centers of the uprising against President Bashar Assad's rule and sending families fleeing for safety as armed rebels tried to fend off the attack. Thick black smoke billowed into the sky. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Free Syrian Army fighters take cover during fierce fighting against government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke in Cairo at a heated meeting of the Arab League as U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. Amid the diplomatic efforts, Syrian troops were pushing ahead with a new assault on the northern region of Idlib, one of the centers of the uprising against Assad's rule.(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A Free Syrian Army fighter runs for cover during fighting against government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A man stands guard during fighting between Free Syrian Army fighters and government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

An injured man arrives at a hospital during fierce fighting between Free Syrian Army fighters and government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Free Syrian Army fighters gather during fighting against government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Free Syrian Army fighters console a comrade after an ambulance carried an injured friend to a hospital during fierce fighting against government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Doctors try to save the life of a severely wounded Free Syrian Army fighter during fighting against government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

People remove a speed bump to allow ambulances and fighters' vehicles to drive faster in a neighborhood where fierce fighting lasted for hours between Free Syrian Army fighters and government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A Free Syrian Army fighter runs for cover during fighting against government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

An injured man arrives at a hospital during fierce fighting between Free Syrian Army fighters and government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Kofi Annan, the United Nations special envoy to Syria, center, leaves the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, March10, 2012 on his way to the presidential palace for a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan arrived in Syria on Saturday to push for an end to the country's yearlong conflict and deliver a message to Syrian President Bashar Assad that all violence must stop. (AP Photo/ Bassem Tellawi)

Injured men are carried to a hospital during fierce fighting between Free Syrian Army fighters and government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Syrian women and children take shelter from fierce fighting between the Free Syrian Army and government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A injured Free Syrian Army fighters is attend by doctors after being injured during fighting against government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A family escapes from fierce fighting between Free Syrian Army fighters and government troops in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 10, 2012. U.N. envoy Kofi Annan met with Syrian President Bashar Assad on Saturday in Damascus during a high-profile international mission to mediate an end to the country's yearlong conflict. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A woman prays during an anti-government demonstration in Idlib, north Syria, Friday, March 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A man chants anti-government slogans during a demonstration in Idlib, north Syria, Friday, March 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Women chant anti-government slogans during an a demonstration in Idlib, north Syria, Friday, March 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Free Syrian Army fighters swear to the Qur'an, to fight against government troops until the last soldier is alive in Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A relative mourns for Mohammed Munir Zidani, 59, minutes after he was killed by a Syrian Army sniper near a check point in Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A relative of Abdulaziz Abu Ahmed Khrer, killed by a Syrian Army sniper, cries during his funeral in Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Ahmed, center, mourns his father Abdulaziz Abu Ahmed Khrer, who was killed by a Syrian Army sniper, during his funeral in Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

People carry Abdulaziz Abu Ahmed Khrer, who was killed by a Syrian Army sniper, during his funeral in Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Thursday, March 8, 2012, purports to show a Syrian military tank in Homs, Syria. Kofi Annan, who has been appointed joint U.N.-Arab League envoy to Syria, said his mission was to start a "political process" in Syria to resolve the one-year conflict there. The uprising began with largely peaceful protests but faced with a vicious regime crackdown, became increasingly militarized. The U.N. says more than 7,500 people have been killed in the yearlong violence. Activists put the death toll at more than 8,000. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Thursday, March 8, 2012, purports to show Syrians chanting slogans during a demonstration in Idlib, Syria. Kofi Annan, who has been appointed joint U.N.-Arab League envoy to Syria, said his mission was to start a "political process" in Syria to resolve the one-year conflict there. The uprising began with largely peaceful protests but faced with a vicious regime crackdown, became increasingly militarized. The U.N. says more than 7,500 people have been killed in the yearlong violence. Activists put the death toll at more than 8,000. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Thursday, March 8, 2012, purports to show a Syrian man holding the Syrian revolutionary flag during a demonstration in Daraa, Syria. Kofi Annan, who has been appointed joint U.N.-Arab League envoy to Syria, said his mission was to start a "political process" in Syria to resolve the one-year conflict there. The uprising began with largely peaceful protests but faced with a vicious regime crackdown, became increasingly militarized. The U.N. says more than 7,500 people have been killed in the yearlong violence. Activists put the death toll at more than 8,000. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

Anti-Syrian regime mourners carry inside a mosque the body of Muhannad al-Malla,who activists say was a Syrian soldier who was allegedly killed last month by his colleagues in Homs, during his funeral procession in east Mazzeh area, Damascus, Syria, Thursday, March 8, 2012. Shortly after The U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos spoke, gunfire erupted in an upscale neighborhood of Damascus as security forces opened fire to disperse mourners who had gathered for the funeral of a soldier who was allegedly killed last month by his colleagues for refusing orders to shoot on civilians in Homs. Amos says she was "struck" by the significant devastation she saw in a shattered district of Syria's central city of Homs. (AP Photo)

U.N. humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, left, shakes hands with Syrian Health Minister Wael al-Halki at the Health Ministry in Damascus, Syria, Thursday, March 8, 2012. The U.N. humanitarian chief says she was "struck" by the significant devastation she saw in a shattered district of Syria's central city of Homs. Valerie Amos told reporters in Damascus on Thursday that the Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs is "completely destroyed." (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

This image made from amateur video and released by Aljizahnews Thursday, March 8, 2012, purports to show a deputy to Syria's oil ministry who identifies himself as Abdo Husameddine at an unidentified location. A man purporting to be Syria's deputy oil minister has announced his defection in an online video that emerged Thursday, saying he is joining the opposition against President Bashar Assad's regime to protest its brutal crackdown that has killed thousands so far. (AP Photo/Aljizahnews via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

A man mourns the death of a man moments after his death, thought to have been killed by a Syrian Army sniper, outside a hospital in Idlib, north Syria, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The man was shot by a sniper and taken to hospital for medical aid, but died from his wounds.(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Children play in a street market downtown of Idlib, north Syria, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A walks in a street market downtown of Idlib, north Syria, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Nazem Najar, 12, recovers in a hospital after being wounded by a Syrian Army sniper, Idlib, north Syria, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A Free Syrian Army fighter poses for the picture in Idlib, north Syria, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Relatives mourn the death of a relative moments after his death, killed by a Syrian Army sniper, at a hospital in Idlib, north Syria, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The man was shot by a sniper and taken to hospital for medical aid, but died from his wounds.(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A Syrian man stands next to empty bottle as he waits to fill gasoline at a gas station in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. The U.N. humanitarian chief headed to the shattered central Syrian city of Homs on Wednesday, where activists have accused regime forces of trying to cover up evidence of a monthlong military assault and alleged execution-style killings. (AP Photo)

A Free Syrian Army fighter holds a home made grenade as another fighter has a coffee for breakfast in Idlib, north Syria, Tuesday, March 6, 2012. Syria's president defied mounting international pressure to end the year-old crackdown on an uprising against him and said Tuesday he was determined to go on fighting what he called "foreign-backed terrorism." The U.N. says more than 7,500 people have been killed since Syria's uprising started in March 2011. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A man rides his motorcycle after buying potatoes in a street market in Idlib, north Syria, Tuesday, March 6, 2012. Syria's president defied mounting international pressure to end the year-old crackdown on an uprising against him and said Tuesday he was determined to go on fighting what he called "foreign-backed terrorism." The U.N. says more than 7,500 people have been killed since Syria's uprising started in March 2011. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A man walks away after buying bread in Idlib, north Syria, Tuesday, March 6, 2012. People in Idlib wait for the next days a full scale attack of the Syrian Army on the city, almost controlled now by the Free Syrian Army. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Monday, March 5, 2012, purports to show Syrians carrying a large Syrian revolutionary flag during a demonstration in Derbassiyeh, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

A Syrian child is seen with her family who fled from the Syrian town of Qusair near Homs, at the Lebanese-Syrian border village of Qaa, eastern Lebanon, Monday, March 5, 2012. More than a thousand Syrian refugees have poured across the border into Lebanon, among them families with small children carrying only plastic bags filled with their belongings as they fled a regime hunting down its opponents. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Syrian children are seen with their families, who fled from the Syrian town of Qusair near Homs, at the Lebanese-Syrian border village of Qaa, eastern Lebanon, Monday, March 5, 2012. More than a thousand Syrian refugees have poured across the border into Lebanon, among them families with small children carrying only plastic bags filled with their belongings as they fled a regime hunting down its opponents. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

A man teaches Bilal, 11, how to use a toy rocket propelled grenade in Idlib, north Syria, Sunday, March 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

People are silhouetted at the end of a road in the old city of Idlib, north Syria, Monday, March 5, 2012. Syrian refugees fleeing to neighboring Lebanon on Monday said they feared they would be slaughtered in their own homes as government forces hunted down opponents in a brutal offensive against the opposition stronghold of Homs. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Children warm their hands by a fire in Idlib, north Syria, Monday, March 5, 2012. Syrian refugees fleeing to neighboring Lebanon on Monday said they feared they would be slaughtered in their own homes as government forces hunted down opponents in a brutal offensive against the opposition stronghold of Homs. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

This image made from amateur video and released by Shaam News Network Monday, March 5, 2012, purports to show Syrians carrying a large Syrian revolutionary flag during a demonstration in Derbassiyeh, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN)

Free Syrian Army fighters pose for a portrait at their headquarters in Idlib, north Syria, Sunday, March 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A man teaches Bilal, 11, right, how to use a toy rocket propelled grenade in Idlib, north Syria, Sunday, March 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Free Syrian Army fighters pose for a picture inside of their headquarters in Idlib, north Syria, Sunday, March 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

French Ambassador Eric Chevallier, center, receives the body of slain French photojournalist Remi Ochlik in Damascus, Syria, Saturday, March 3, 2012. Syrian Red Crescent officials handed over to embassy officials Saturday the bodies of two foreign journalists who were killed in shelling while trapped inside a besieged district in Syria's central city of Homs. (AP Photo/Muzaffar Salman)

Men bury three Free Syrian Army fighters allegedly killed by the Syrian Army during their funeral in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Men try to get gasoline in a gas station in downtown Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A woman walks next to a graffiti that reads in broken English: "Go Out Bashar" referring to Syrian President Bashar Assad, in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A boy plays in a park converted to a cemetery in Idlib, north of Syria, Saturday, March 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Cemetery workers prepare graves for a three Free Syrian Army fighters in Idlib, north Syria, Saturday, March 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Friday, March 2, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Saturday, March 3, 2012, anti-Syrian regime hold up a banner during a demonstration, at Dael village in Daraa province, south Syria. A suicide car bomb exploded Saturday in the southern Syrian city of Daraa, known as the birthplace of the country's uprising, killing two people, the state-run news agency said. The blast came as Syria continued to block a Red Cross convoy from delivering badly needed aid to a rebellious neighborhood in the central city of Homs. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

In this Friday, March 2, 2012, citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Saturday, March 3, 2012, anti-Syrian regime protesters hold up banners during a demonstration, in Idlib, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

French journalist Edith Bouvier smiles as firefighters carry her into an ambulance after the plane carrying her and French photographer, William Daniels, landed at the Villacoublay military airport outside Paris, Friday, March 2nd, 2012. Two French journalists who were smuggled out of Syria have arrived in France. Edith Bouvier, who was injured, and William Daniels were caught up in a Syrian government siege of a rebel-held neighborhood in the city of Homs.(AP Photo/Zacharie Scheurer)

Protesters stand among damaged portraits of Hafez Al-Assad, former president of Syria and the father of the actual president Bashar Al-Assad, during an anti government protest in a town in north Syria, Friday, March 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A woman holds a machine gun during an anti government slogans in a town in north Syria, Friday, March 2, 2012. Syria has faced mounting international criticism over its bloody crackdown on the uprising, which started with peaceful protests but has become increasingly militarized. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

People attend an anti government protest in a town in north Syria, Friday, March 2, 2012. Syria has faced mounting international criticism over its bloody crackdown on the uprising, which started with peaceful protests but has become increasingly militarized. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Men hold revolutionary Syrian flags during an anti government protest in a town in north Syria, Friday, March 2, 2012. Syria has faced mounting international criticism over its bloody crackdown on the uprising, which started with peaceful protests but has become increasingly militarized. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A convoy of Lebanese Red Cross ambulances escorted by Lebanese police vehicles carry the two injured French journalists who were trapped at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province after they were wounded in a rocket attack during the Syrian troops' onslaught, to arrive at Beirut international airport, Lebanon, on Friday March 2, 2012. A French reporter wounded in a rocket attack last week in Syria that killed two other journalists is receiving treatment in Beirut hospital and is expected to fly home later Friday, a senior Lebanese security official said. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

A man prepares shawarmas for customers on the outskirts of Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Teenagers Maher and Abdo pose for the picture in front of a graffiti that reads "Freedom" on the outskirts of Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A graffiti depicting a revolutionary flag and a slogan that reads "Go Out" is seen on the outskirts of Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Women walk pass a graffiti that reads "Freedom for Ever" on the outskirts of Idlib, north Syria, Thursday, March 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Muhammed Ibrahim, 18, a singer in the region of Hama, Syria, lies in the Kemal Ataturk University hospital in Antakya, Turkey, Thursday, March 1, 2012. Ibrahim says he was leading a crowd shoutring anti-Assad slogans when the protesters in the village of Kafr Nboda were struck by a shell fired by the Syrian army on Feb. 16, 2012.(AP Photo/Gaia Anderson)

Free Syrian Army supporters gather for a protest under snowfall on the outskirts of Idlib , north Syria, Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Villagers prepare the tomb for Ghassan Ali, 40, who was killed during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and the government forces in Sarmin, north of Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. According to the residents of the city at least fourteen people were killed yesterday during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and President Assad forces. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A Free Syrian Army soldier walks next to a burned tractor in Sarmin, north of Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. According to the residents of the city at least fourteen people were killed yesterday during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and President Assad's forces. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Mohammed Said Najaf, 90, mourns his nephew Ghassan Ali, 40, who was killed during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and the government forces in Sarmin, north of Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. According to the residents of the city, at least fourteen people were killed yesterday during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and President Assad's forces. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Villagers chant anti government slogans during a demonstration organized after a man killed during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and President Assad's forces in Sarmin, north of Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. According to residents of the city at least fourteen people were killed yesterday during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and the government forces. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Waiters stand in an empty cafe at a popular market in Damascus, Syria, on Tuesday Feb. 28, 2012. A capital that once prided itself as being one of the safest in the world is now a grim, tense place. Blast walls ring government buildings to protect from potential car bombs. Shops and restaurants close early. Residents struggle with spiraling prices and long electricity outages. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi)

Villagers chant anti government slogans during the funeral of Ghassan Ali, 40, who was killed during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and the government forces in Sarmin, north Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. According to the residents of the city at least fourteen people were killed yesterday during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and President Assad's forces. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Syrian boys check out the damage after the clash between the Free Syrian Army and President Assad's forces in Sarmin, north of Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. According to residents of the city, at least fourteen people were killed yesterday during clashes between the Free Syrian Army and the government forces. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

People walk through Hamidiya popular market in Damascus, Syria, on Tuesday Feb. 28, 2012. A capital that once prided itself as being one of the safest in the world is now a grim, tense place. Blast walls ring government buildings to protect from potential car bombs. Shops and restaurants close early. Residents struggle with spiraling prices and long electricity outages. (AP Photo/Bassem Tellawi)

People carry the body of Mohammed al-Mnawi who was allegedly killed by the Syrian security forces on Saturday as they shout anti-government slogans during his funeral in Kfar Suseh area, Damascus, Syria, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012. (AP Photo)

In this Monday, Feb. 27, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, anti-Syrian regime mourners carry a coffin of a protester who was killed by the Syrian security forces during a demonstration, in Maarat al-Noman, Idlib, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

A Free Syrian Army fighter removes the mud from his shoes at the outskirts of Sarmin, north of Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European Union foreign ministers said Monday they were increasingly appalled by the Syrian government's ruthless campaign of repression against civilians, and imposed new sanctions in hopes of pressuring the regime to change course(AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A Free Syrian Army fighter walks to meet his comrades as the Syrian Army advances towards the town of Sarmin, north Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European Union foreign ministers said Monday they were increasingly appalled by the Syrian government's ruthless campaign of repression against civilians, and imposed new sanctions in hopes of pressuring the regime to change course. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A man loads his family's belongings to a truck as they flee their house due to Syrian Army bombardments in downtown Idlib, north of Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European Union foreign ministers said Monday they were increasingly appalled by the Syrian government's ruthless campaign of repression against civilians, and imposed new sanctions in hopes of pressuring the regime to change course. AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Free Syrian Army fighters walk to meet their comrades as the Syrian Army advances towards the town of Sarmin, north of Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European Union foreign ministers said Monday they were increasingly appalled by the Syrian government's ruthless campaign of repression against civilians, and imposed new sanctions in hopes of pressuring the regime to change course. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A woman holds her daughter on the balcony of her building damaged by Syrian Army bombings in central Idlib, north of Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European Union foreign ministers said Monday they were increasingly appalled by the Syrian government's ruthless campaign of repression against civilians, and imposed new sanctions in hopes of pressuring the regime to change course. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A boy stands in from of a shop destroyed in Syrian Army shelling in the center of Idlib, north of Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European Union foreign ministers said Monday they were increasingly appalled by the Syrian government's ruthless campaign of repression against civilians, and imposed new sanctions in hopes of pressuring the regime to change course. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A family evacuates their belongings as they flee their home because of the Syrian Army shelling in central Idlib, north Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European Union foreign ministers said Monday they were increasingly appalled by the Syrian government's ruthless campaign of repression against civilians, and imposed new sanctions in hopes of pressuring the regime to change course. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A Free Syrian Army fighter takes a position as the Syrian Army advances towards the town of Sarmin, north of Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European Union foreign ministers said Monday they were increasingly appalled by the Syrian government's ruthless campaign of repression against civilians, and imposed new sanctions in hopes of pressuring the regime to change course. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Free Syrian Army fighters take positions as the Syrian Army advances towards the town of Sarmin, north of Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European Union foreign ministers said Monday they were increasingly appalled by the Syrian government's ruthless campaign of repression against civilians, and imposed new sanctions in hopes of pressuring the regime to change course. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Syrian security forces block a street during the funeral of Alaa Harbush, 12, who was allegedly killed on Sunday by Syrian security forces during a protest against Syrian President Bashar Assad in Kfar Suseh area, Damascus, Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European foreign ministers increased the pressure Monday on Syria's regime to stop its crackdown on opponents, freezing the assets of several Syrian government officials and imposing sanctions on the country's central bank. (AP Photo)

Syrians carry the body of Alaa Harbush, 12, who was allegedly killed on Sunday by the Syrian security forces during a protest against Syrian President Bashar Assad at his funeral in Kfar Suseh area, in Damascus, Syria, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. European foreign ministers increased the pressure Monday on Syria's regime to stop its crackdown on opponents, freezing the assets of several Syrian government officials and imposing sanctions on the country's central bank. (AP Photo)

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks during the meeting of military-technical cooperation in the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Monday, Feb. 27, 2012. Putin warned against military intervention in Syria or an attack on Iran in scathing criticism of the West on Monday as he laid out his foreign policy priorities ahead of Russia's presidential vote. In Monday's article, Putin again criticized the U.S.-led plans for a NATO missile defense system in Europe, saying it's aimed against Russian nuclear forces. (AP Photo/RIA Novosti, Alexei Druzhinin, Government Press Service)

Supporters of the Free Syrian Army have a meeting before attending a protest against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime in the outskirts of Idlib, northern Syria, Sunday Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A man burns a portrait of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, during a demonstration in the outskirts of Idlib, northern Syria, Sunday Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A woman stands next to a graffiti that reads "Freedom" during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime in the outskirts of Idlib, northern Syria, Sunday Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

People burn portraits of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad during a demonstration against his regime in the outskirts from Idlib, northern Syria, Sunday Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A man holds up a child during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime in the outskirts of Idlib, northern Syria, Sunday Feb. 26, 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, Syrian President Bashar Assad casts his ballot next to his wife Asma at a polling station during a referendum on the new constitution, in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday Feb. 26, 2012. Syrians began voting on a new draft constitution aimed at quelling the country's uprising by ending the ruling Baath Party's five-decade domination of power, but the opposition announced a boycott and clashes were reported across the country. (AP Photo/SANA)

A boy cuts wood in Kafar Taharim, north Syria, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. The town has been under the control of the Free Syrian Army for the past month, and people continue a normal life due to the lack of combat with government military forces. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

A woman walks with children in Kafar Taharim, north Syria, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. The town of Kafar Taharim is under control of the Free Syrian Army for the past month, and people continue a normal life due to the lack of combat with government military forces. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

Khacem Abdel Luhab, officer of the Free Syrian Army smokes next to his machine gun before attending a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime in Kafar Taharim, northern Syria, Friday, Feb. 24., 2012. In Tunis, the United States, Europe and Arab countries are set to back a proposal for Syria's president to step aside and allow in humanitarian assistance to end a brutal crackdown against opponents. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

6-months old Maher, laughs as the child is placed to pose with a machine gun placed by supporters of the Free Syrian Army, inside a house near Idlib, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 23., 2012. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

In this Thursday Feb. 23, 2012 photo, Syrian rebels gather in front of the remains of a burnt military vehicle belonging to Syrian government forces destroyed by Syrian rebels during a clashes at Khaldiyeh neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. (AP Photo)

In this Thursday Feb. 23, 2012 photo, Syrian rebels stand in front of the remains of a burnt military vehicle belonging to Syrian government forces destroyed by Syrian rebels during clashes at Khaldiyeh neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. (AP Photo)

In this Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, houses are seen damaged by Syrian government forces shelling in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

In this Wednesday Feb. 22, 2012 photo, a Syrian rebel aims his rifle inside a classroom at a school in Deir Baalbeh neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. (AP Photo)

This combo shows a photo of American journalist Marie Colvin, left, and one of French photographer Remi Ochlik. The two journalists were killed Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 by Syrian government shelling of the opposition stronghold of Homs, France's government said. (AP Photo)

A still image taken from Turkish news crew video filmed Wednesday Feb. 22, 2012, showing the location where two western journalists were killed in the immediate aftermath of shelling by Syrian government forces that allegedly killed two Western journalists in the besieged city of Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/A Haber)

A still image taken from a Turkish news crew video filmed Wednesday Feb. 22, 2012, showing the Sunday Times business card of US war correspondent Marie Colvin being held and filmed by a Turkish film crew, during the immediate aftermath of shelling by Syrian government forces that allegedly killed two Western journalists in the besieged city of Homs, Syria. A French photojournalist and a prominent American war correspondent working for a British newspaper were killed Wednesday as Syrian forces intensely shelled the opposition stronghold of Homs. (AP Photo/A Haber)

This image from amateur video made available by Shaam News Network purports to show Paul Conroy of the Sunday Times, left, and Edith Bouvier of Le Figaro in a makeshift clinic in Homs, Syria, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2012. An amateur video shows the two injured journalists in a makeshift clinic, lying on two separate beds. The French journalist, Bouvier had her left leg tied from the thigh down in a cast. A doctor in the video explains that she needs emergency medical care. Conroy appears in the video and the doctors say he has deep gashes in his left leg. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via Associated Press Television News)

In this Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, Syrian student protesters chant slogans, during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Assad, at the Aleppo University's Square, in the northern city of Aleppo, Syria. President Bashar Assad's regime escalated attacks on rebel bases elsewhere, with helicopter gunships strafing areas in the northwest, activists said. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, flames rise from a house from Syrian government shelling, at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. A French photojournalist and a prominent American war correspondent working for a British newspaper were killed Wednesday as Syrian forces intensely shelled the opposition stronghold of Homs. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 photo, Syrian girls play on top of a destroyed Syrian riot police tank at Bayada neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. (AP Photo)

In this Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, a destroyed Syrian military tank is seen in front of a Syrian rebels checkpoint in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

In this Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, black smoke rises into the air from Syrian government shelling, at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, a damaged home is seen from Syrian government forces shelling, at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, a market is seen destroyed from Syrian government forces shelling, at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

In this Monday, Feb. 20, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, houses are seen destroyed from Syrian government forces shelling, at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

One of three Syrian injured men who were wounded by shelling at Baba Amr neighborhood in the Syrian province of Homs, lies on his hospital bed as he receives treatment, in the eastern town of Chtoura, in Bekaa valley, Lebanon, on Monday Feb. 20, 2012. Lebanese security officials said at least three wounded Syrians were brought for treatment in the eastern town of Chtoura. (AP Photo/Samer Husseini)

This Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 image taken from amateur video made available by the Shaam News Network Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, shows a man cradling his son, who was purportedly killed by Syrian government shelling in Homs Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network)

In this Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, flames leap the air from a car and building bombed by the Syrian government forces shelling, in Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, central Syria. As Syrian forces have stepped up their assault on rebellious cities, President Bashar Assad ordered a referendum on a new constitution that would create a multiparty system in a country that has been ruled by his autocratic family dynasty for 40 years. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this Feb. 18, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, anti-Syrian regime mourners carry the coffins of three protesters according to Syrian activists that were killed by the Syrian security forces during a demonstration, at Mazzeh district in Damascus, Syria. Syrian security forces fired live rounds and tear gas Saturday at thousands of people marching in a funeral procession that turned into one of the largest protests in Damascus since the 11-month uprising against President Bashar Assad began. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

In this Feb. 18, 2012 citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012, the dead body of anti-Syrian regime protester is seen wrapped by the Syrian revolution flag and according to Syrian activists that was killed by the Syrian security forces during a demonstration, at Mazzeh district in Damascus, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

In this citizen journalism image provide by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, anti-Syrian regime protesters, hold an Arabic banner reads:"Homs is the city of the orphan Syrian revolution," as they march during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Assad, at Dael village in Daraa province, south Syria, on Friday Feb. 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

This Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 image from amateur video made available by Shaam News Network, purports to show a Syrian military tank in Daraa, Syria. Syrian troops intensively shelled rebel-held neighborhoods in the restive central city of Homs, on Friday and killed at least five people, activists said. Britain and France urged the opposition to unite and said it needs more international support to resist the deadly government crackdown. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN)

In this citizen journalism image provide by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, anti-Syrian regime protesters, hold banners and shout slogans during a demonstration against Syrian President Bashar Assad, at Binsh village in Idlib province, north Syria, on Friday Feb. 17, 2012. The Arabic banners from right to left read:"God is great, No God only God and Mohammed is prophet of the God, The popular resistance, Free people of Binsh". (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria)

Two of three Syrian injured men who were wounded from the shelling at Baba Amr neighborhood in the Syrian province of Homs, on their hospital beds as they receive treatment, in the eastern town of Chtoura, in Bekaa valley, Lebanon, on Monday Feb. 20, 2012. Lebanese security officials said at least three wounded Syrians were brought for treatment in the eastern town of Chtoura. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the wounded came from the Baba Amr attacks. (AP Photo/Samer Husseini)

This image from amateur video made available by Shaam News Network on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, purports to show smoke filling the air near a mosque in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image from amateur video made available by Shaam News Network on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, purports to show Syrians chanting slogans during a demonstration in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image from amateur video made available by Shaam News Network on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, purports to show a Syrian military tank in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image from amateur video made available by Shaam News Network on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, purports to show a Syrians running in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

In this citizen journalism image provide by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, a damaged house from the Syrian government forces shelling at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria, Wednesday Feb. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, a damaged house from the Syrian government forces shelling at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria, Wednesday Feb. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

In this citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria, wreckage is seen inside a damaged room from the Syrian government forces shelling at Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs province, Syria, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

This satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe, taken Feb. 5, 2012, shows smoke rising from some buildings at the center of the city of Homs, Syria. In Homs, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 53 people were killed in the shelling Wednesday Feb. 8, 2012 of the neighborhoods of Bayadah, Baba Amr, Khaldiyeh and Karm el-Zeytoun. (AP Photo/DigitalGlobe) MANDATORY CREDIT; www.digitalglobe.com

This image taken from video filmed by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 shows a dead man carried outside in a funeral procession in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)

This image taken from video filmed Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 by an independent cameraman shows women and children huddled together in a basement in a building in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)

In this undated citizen journalism image provided by the Local Coordination Committees in Syria and accessed on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, a man weeps as he sits next to a man who was purportedly killed in shelling by Syrian government forces, Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Local Coordination Committees in Syria) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS HANDOUT PHOTO

This image from amateur video made available by Shaam News Network on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, purports to show a doctor treating a wounded man inside a hospital in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image from amateur video made available by Shaam News Network on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, purports to show a severely wounded man inside a hospital in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/Shaam News Network via APTN) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT, DATE, LOCATION OR AUTHENTICITY OF THIS MATERIAL. TV OUT

This image taken from video filmed over the past several days by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 shows a grieving relative kissing a dead man on the back of a truck in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)

This image taken from video filmed over the past several days by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 shows an injured man leaving hospital being helped by friends on the street in the Bab Amr neighbourhood of Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)

This image taken from video filmed over the past several days by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 shows bodies wrapped in white sheets loaded on the pickup truck outside hospital in the Bab Amr neighbourhood of Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)

This image taken from video filmed over the past several days by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 shows medical staff trying to help injured a hospital in the Bab Amr neighbourhood of Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)

This image taken from video filmed over the past several days by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 shows an injured man being carried on a stretcher and another man on the floor in the corridor of a hospital in the Bab Amr neighbourhood of Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)

This image taken from video filmed over the past several days by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 shows men standing by a hole in the wall, one of them aiming a gun through the opening in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)

This image taken from video filmed over the past several days by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 another member of the group that calls itself Free Syrian Army, aiming his gun in a building in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)

This image taken from video filmed over the past several days by an independent cameraman and made available Tuesday Feb. 7, 2012 a member of the group that calls itself Free Syrian Army firing a gun in Homs, Syria. (AP Photo/APTN)